Hi, everyone.
I have a 9 year old yellow lab who about a month ago had some problems with scratching and not wanting to eat his food. So, I moved him to a better food with more fish in it for his skin. He started eating the new food right away. then, About two weeks after that he became very lethargic. And starting having hip problems. We took him to the vet and they took some x-rays and said it was just arthritis and gave me some meloxicam. His energy perked up and he was able to go on short walks but, his hips were still bothering him( dragging behind and collapsing). When we went for a review of the x-rays and a follow up. I told her what had been happening and they now want to send him to a neurologist in Vancouver.
I'm not sure if this is something I should be doing or if it is even worth it. Don't get me wrong I love my dog and would do anything for him but, if he is in this much pain. Is it worth it? How would the scans they would give him help? Has anyone else gone through something like this?
I don't know what to do?

When my Standard Poodle had arthritis in his hips I was told him to bring to water therapy treatments but my poodle did not know he was water dog and hated to swim. Does your lap like to swim , I know it too cold now but when it get warmer out you could try this and see if it help.

What did the Xrays show? Damage in the spine could cause those symptoms and it might not be hips at all. My Lab girl was found to have invertebral disk disease and significant spinal spondylosis in about the middle of her back when she was 12.5. Her symptoms were similar though not nearly as bad as your dog, but her hips were excellent. We had her till she was 14.5 so I consider 9 to be fairly young.

If it was me I'd want a lot more detail from my Vet on WHY he/she is recommending a visit to a specialist. Maybe a second opinion from a different Vet is in order before you commit to the Neurologist.

Bradleyj is on Vancouver Island it seems, which is a $100 ferry bill each way on top of the bill for a specialist. I might be inclined to seek out a second opinion locally first. Did the vet do any spinal Xrays? When my AkitaX Shadow had arthritis it started in her hips but progressed to her spine.

I over exercised my puppy many years ago and he could not even get up to walk. I started to give him Glucosomine, Chondritin and MSM 3 time per day with food 900 mg after 6 months we and siblings had gone to park and he jumped sky high literally over 4' in tall grass I kept on feeding him this vitamin through out his entire life with his food and never had any issue at all. I believe you we treat our pets like children and vets do not always have the best interest in mind money money an X-ray would have proved hip issue not a nueroligist that is for brain and other functions that vet a quack